A Comparative Study of Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods for Selecting Sustainable Energy Projects in Rangamati, Bangladesh
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Selecting optimal sustainable energy projects in resource-rich yet socioeconomically challenged regions such as Rangamati, Bangladesh, requires a systematic and transparent decision-making approach. This study addresses the persistent issue of energy accessibility in this hilly district by proposing a comprehensive Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework. Three renewable energy alternatives—solar, hydro, and biomass—are evaluated against five critical criteria: initial investment cost, environmental impact, energy generation potential, technical feasibility, and social acceptance. Criterion weights are determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for precise expert judgments and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) to incorporate uncertainty in preferences. Subsequently, the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is employed to rank the alternatives based on these weighted criteria. Results consistently identify solar energy as the most suitable option, offering a balanced performance across all dimensions, particularly in terms of generation potential, technical viability, and favorable environmental and social attributes, despite moderate cost implications. This research contributes a robust, hybrid MCDM model that can be adapted to similar contexts, providing a data-driven foundation for sustainable energy investment decisions in Rangamati and comparable regions.
Language: English
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204451941